A New Bone-boosting Duo

Researchers are continually on the lookout for a newer, better, more readily absorbed formulation for calcium—the commonly consumed bone-building mineral. The most popular version currently is calcium carbonate, but other calcium combos are coming on the scene. The latest substance to be paired up with calcium is threonic acid, a metabolite formed in the body from ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Calcium threonate as the supplement is known, has been shown to stimulate the biomineralization process in human gum tissue when combined with vitamin C in a test tube. Recent research described in a patent indicates greater absorption of calcium threonate in animals, compared to other forms.

Additional studies describe the benefits of calcium threonate given to animals with osteoporosis induced by removal of the ovaries or testes, and in children with rickets, a vitamin D deficiency disease rarely seen in industrialized nations today.

To justify its premium price when it hits the market this winter, more studies are needed on adult humans to unequivocally prove calcium threonate's superior absorption and, thus, bone-density boosting abilities.

Nutrition and exercise biochemist Anthony Almada, MS, has collaborated on more than 45 university-based studies and is founder and chief scientific officer of IMAGINutrition.